I recall the time when Mario Kart DS was released for Nintendo’s revolutionary console, the DS. It was crazy. My friends and I were busy playing the game online; we didn’t let the troublesome friend code system, or the fact that the DS was very picky when it came to working with certain wireless routers to become showstoppers. So what actually drove us to go nuts over a racing game? Simply put, Mario Kart DS was amazing and I’ve to credit the game for being one of the titles that kickstarted Nineoverten.com (check out the review from way back then)

Mario Kart was a perfect combination of fun gameplay featuring a variety of courses and favourite characters, nice graphics (for a DS), spot-on controls and a competitive multiplayer element. Since its release, many have tried to follow the formula to try and be the next Mario Kart. I’ve had the pleasure of trying out the likes of Speed Racer (DS) with its crazy Car-Fu and Wacky Races (DS) and have seen many crash and burn on either of my favourite platforms (DS and iOS).

So with the latest release of Formula Cartoon All-Stars, featuring Cartoon Network characters, does it steal the mobile karting crown from the illustrious Mario Kart DS? Short answer: No. Long answer: It’s a little more complicated than that. Like it or not, physical controls have the upper hand when it comes to racing games, and the Mario Kart DS by virtue of being on a proper gaming console has plenty of buttons to push. The level of engagement was simply unmatched.

Don’t get me wrong, other than the lack of physical controls (through no fault of its own), Formula Cartoon All Stars has plenty going for it in the form of pretty/fast graphics, slippery racing and favourite characters from Cartoon Network’s stable. However, I noticed something missing from all that racing, the ability to draft. No wonder it’s not as fun as Mario Kart even though you have nitro lying around.

Regardless of whether you’ve played Mario Kart, Formula Cartoon All Stars is actually a pretty decent racer but I’m still waiting for the day Nintendo actually brings their magnum opus of a game to iOS. In the meantime, you can have Formula Cartoon All Stars to tide you over. Nine Over Ten 9/10 rates it at a 3.5 out of 5. The game is available on the iTunes App Store for USD 2.99. Check it out over here.

A review code was provided to Nineoverten.com for the purpose of this review.

I remember playing the Phoenix Wright games back when Nineoverten.com used to focus on NDS reviews, those were really great games that made full use of the platform’s features. Now, Capcom is set to release Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy HD for a whole new audience, the users of iOS devices. Re-created in HD, this trilogy features the first three games in the Ace Attorney series, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations.

The games follow the unforgettable career of eccentric defense attorney Phoenix Wright as he must prove his seemingly guilty client’s innocence, no matter how dire the circumstances. Each of the three games include all gameplay content originally enjoyed in the Nintendo DS versions with re-mastered HD graphics as well as responsive on-screen controls fine-tuned for the iOS platform allowing for easy navigation using simple swipe commands.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy HD will also come with the “Everyone Object” mode (at no additional cost) to help players communicate their displeasure of everyday situations with the help of popular Ace Attorney characters and sayings. With a simple touch of a button, the phrases, “Objection!”, “Hold it!”, and “Take that!” can be emailed to friends or tweeted along with an animated image.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy HD will be available for download for free this Fall on iOS devices (iOS 5.0 is required to run the application), with each full game in the trilogy available for purchase individually or as a bundle. The first two chapters of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will be available as a free demo.

I recall a friend of mine getting a copy of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective for Christmas. Well, that Capcom title for the Nintendo DS is taking a leap onto the iOS platform and is now available on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in North America and Europe.

Previously released on Nintendo DS to critical acclaim, the beloved mystery adventure game jumps to iOS. The game features intuitive touch screen controls for easy play and enhanced graphics in a wider viewing area for more immersive puzzle solving and is fully localized in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Created by Shu Takumi, the father of the critically acclaimed Ace Attorney series, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective combines his signature style of quirky humor, logic puzzles and an intriguing story wrapped in a unique art style. Players take on the role of Sissel, the ghost of a murder victim who has lost his memory and must solve the mystery of his suspicious demise.

Gamers guide his blue-flamed soul through dynamic environments, possessing and manipulating inanimate objects found in the world to solve the captivating puzzles he encounters.

The Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The first two chapters are free with the download of the game. Subsequent chapters will be available in three different packs for $4.99/£2.99/€3.99 each or $9.99/£6.99/€7.99 for all chapters through In-App Purchase. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/ghost-trick-phantom-detective/id489113377?mt=8

You read the title right, the following are video game bargains that are not to be missed this week, and this includes titles for the Nintendo Wii, DS, Sony PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Click on the titles to find out more about each title:

I’m off to Jakarta for a business trip for a couple of days and I’m actually a little behind on the iOS video game reviews. The back-log just keeps getting longer and longer but I’m gonna catch up as soon as I’m back on Wednesday. In the mean time, do check out my eBay sales listing.

I’m offloading quite a number of items that I’ve collected over the years since I’ve started Nine Over Ten 9/10, starting with somewhat hard to find Japanese Nintendo GameBoy Advance games such as the bit Generations series, Famicom Mini, Mother 3 and Mawaru Made in Wario.

In the coming weeks I’ll be adding other collectibles like Japanese Nintendo DS games, toys and other space-taking knick-knacks. With the current site’s focus on iOS games and my impending nuptials, I don’t think I’ll be needing those stuff anymore. Do keep the listing bookmarked, who knows, you might find something interesting? http://shop.ebay.com/teaspoon16/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

I think plenty of Professor Layton fans have been waiting for the release of the Professor Layton action figure from Revoltech (Kaiyodo). The good news is it’s out on sale now.

Retailing at USD 31.90, this 125mm action figure comes with 12 joints in his body and various face and hand parts, enabling you to re-create Professor Layton’s thinking poses, his “check mate” moment and various other trademark moves from his Nintendo DS games.

This package also comes with a table, ornate chair and Professor Layton’s tea set, so that you can have a mini diorama.

I just order what’s perhaps the cutest Snoopy/Nintendo DS merchandise (not that there are many to begin with) from Play-Asia. It’s Snoopy’s dog house with him sitting on it (in his Flying Ace persona) and it doubles up as a Nintendo DS card store, storing up to 10 cartridges!

The DS Card House Peanuts Flying Ace is officially licensed by Nintendo and while its original price was USD 21.90, it’s now selling at a discounted price of USD 5.90! You can check it out over here.

If you’re like me, having a bunch of friends who are obsessed with Professor Layton (the titular character from the Professor Layton games on the Nintendo DS), here would be some great stocking stuffers for them in form of plush toys and keychains

Professor Layton Plush Toys: These come in M and S sizes for Professor Layton and S for Luke.

Christmas is just a few weeks from now, and while people seem to forget the true meaning of Christmas (God’s gift to the world), it doesn’t seem to dither them from buying presents for their loved ones and friends.

So welcome to another edition of Nine Over Ten’s Christmas Gift Guide, I think I did the same last year, or the year before, but nevermind, lets get on with the Handheld Gamer Edition of the guide.

2009 is a bumper year for handheld gamers, not only did Nintendo and Sony released new versions of their respective handhelds with the Nintendo DSi, the DSi LL and the PSP Go, but Apple also joined in with an upgraded iPod Touch, bringing it up to speed with the iPhone 3GS.

So what do you get for the handheld gamer? Plenty of choices.

Nintendo

As a result of the introduction of the Nintendo DSi, the price for the previous mainstay, the Nintendo DS Lite, has fallen and you can pretty much get this console (if the recipient doesn’t have one already) for less than RM 500. But if you want to stay on the cutting edge, the NDSi and NDSi LL, with its pair of larger screens wouldn’t go wrong as stocking stuffers.

The PSP GO eliminates the need for buying UMDs, but will require plenty of PSN Top-Up cards which are available here. However, you won’t go wrong with the following list of games for users of the PSP 3006, 2006 and 1001 (all of which have the UMD drive):